61. Becky Malby - Universal Healthcare Round Up

Wild Card - Whose Shoes?

In this final episode of our mini-series on universal healthcare, in collaboration with LSBU and the Universal Healthcare Network, we bring it full circle with Prof. Becky Malby, who commissioned this enlightening journey.

Over recent episodes, we've delved into stories from remarkable guests who are making universal healthcare real in their communities – from children’s services to outreach for those experiencing homelessness. Together, they’ve shown us the power of curiosity, collaboration, and plain humanity in health care.

Becky reflects on their stories and challenges us with a bold question:
If they can do it, why can’t everyone?

Why aren’t these inspiring, people-centered approaches the norm?

It’s a call to reimagine healthcare beyond the appointment system and break down walls that hinder access for the most vulnerable.
We discuss everything from the need for team support in complex care, to the irreplaceable role of storytelling, which has shone brightly throughout the series.

This episode is an inspiring wrap-up and a rallying cry to make healthcare universal in every sense.
Whether you’re in healthcare, policy, or simply curious about a fairer system, this series has laid out the path forward – and it’s one we’ll need to walk together. Thank you for joining us in this exploration.

Lemon lightbulbs 🍋💡🍋
🍋 The Outliers' Challenge – If these guys can create truly universal healthcare, why isn’t everyone doing it?
Stop treating these stories as “exceptions”, start making them the norm.

🍋 Beyond the Appointment Factory – The NHS is more than an endless round of appointments.
Bring care to people; don't just wait for them to show up.
🍋 Break Down the Barriers – A phone call to get an appointment can be Everest for those without easy access or trust in the system.
Meet people where they are: in a clinic, on the street, or anywhere that works
🍋 Curiosity Is the Key – The best hcps aren’t the “know-it-alls”
Join the magic, curious people who keep asking, “Who else could help?” and “What’s the full picture here?”
🍋 Teamwork - it’s lighter with friends.
From school nurses to team huddles, complex care works better (and is way more fun) when you have support
🍋 Stories Over Stats – what are the stories behind the data?
George helped V get to China - shows the human impact in a way data never could
🍋 Start somewhere
Don’t overthink. Just start. Get moving. Small actions can spark big changes
🍋 Reignite the creative Pandemic Spirit – Remember the “VacciTaxies” bringing care to where people needed it?
Let's ditch the bureaucracy & reignite our drive to make healthcare accessible.

🍋 Universal healthcare is possible - it’s up to all of us to carry this momentum forward
Links:
EPISODES 56-61 in this series!
Universal HealthCare National Inquiry
Gill's Universal Healthcare work with MPFT
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Please recommend 'Wild Card - Whose Shoes' to others who enjoy hearing passionate people talk about their experiences of improving health care.

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1. Gill sets the scene, recapping the mini-series highlights and welcoming back Professor Becky Malby to share reflections (00:00:00)

2. Becky reflects on inspiring examples of universal healthcare shared throughout the series and asks, "If they can do it, why can’t everyone?" (00:02:28)

3. Healthcare Beyond Appointments - the need for healthcare that meets people where they are, not an “appointment factory” model (00:04:15)

4. Who’s Not Getting Seen? Identifying and reaching out to those who are often excluded from traditional care models (00:07:47)

5. Gill and Becky explore how curiosity and working with others lead to better care and innovation (00:10:41)

6. The importance of teamwork, mutual support, and happy staff in healthcare settings (00:13:37)

7. Fun in Outreach - how to make healthcare accessible in creative ways, from shopping centres to rugby events (00:15:14)

8. The crucial role of the voluntary sector and the need for stable funding to support these services (00:18:23)

9. The limitations of traditional healthcare metrics and the importance of meaningful, human-centred measurements. (00:20:54)

10. The Magic of Storytelling - stories as a powerful way to connect, inspire, and change perspectives in healthcare (00:22:41)

11. Key recommendations from the National Universal Healthcare Inquiry, including funding fairness and meeting needs over demands (00:23:48)

12. A call to reignite the spirit of pandemic-era creativity and focus on immediate, practical action (00:24:28)

13. Gill and Becky reflect on the series and look forward to the ongoing journey toward universal healthcare (00:26:30)